Academics

Academic quality is an important component of any Education Abroad program, and students should select a program that will enrich their collegiate studies. The Education Abroad office encourages students to work closely with both their academic adviser and Education Abroad adviser before, during, and after studying abroad to ensure all academic matters are handled properly.

Students, academic advisers, and Education Abroad Advisers all play key roles in the study abroad process. Please review the information in this section to learn more about the responsibilities and expectations of each group.

Academic Adviser's Role The course selection process can be difficult to navigate, as students have to shuffle between their education abroad adviser and academic adviser. This section will explain the role of academic advisers in the study abroad process so that students understand what questions they should be asking and are generally well-prepared for each advising session.

Education Abroad Adviser's Role The course selection process can be difficult to navigate, as students have to shuffle between their education abroad adviser and academic adviser. This section will explain the role of education abroad (EA) advisers in the study abroad process so that students understand what questions they should be asking and are generally well-prepared for each advising session.

Before the Education Abroad Office can post grades from your time abroad, we must have a Penn State course number established for each course you took. The course equivalency process is the manner in which we have your abroad courses reviewed for Penn State course numbers. It involves obtaining course information from you, the student, and having it evaluated by the appropriate Penn State academic department. The process must be completed through the Education Abroad Office. Students are not able to graduate from Penn State until the course equivalency process is complete for all courses taken abroad. You should begin this process while abroad and expected to see your courses and grades within 2-4 months of receiving your transcript.